At a Glance
- The High Seas Treaty became legally binding on Saturday, covering nearly half the planet’s surface
- 83 countries have ratified the pact, including recent additions China and Japan
- Only 1% of international waters are currently protected; the treaty aims to expand that rapidly
- Why it matters: The framework could determine whether the world meets its 2030 goal of protecting 30% of all oceans
The world’s first legally binding agreement to shield marine life in international waters entered force Saturday, ending nearly two decades of negotiations and opening the door to vast new ocean sanctuaries beyond any nation’s control.
A Plan for Half the Planet
The High Seas Treaty governs two-thirds of the world’s ocean-areas lying outside national boundaries that face mounting pressure from overfishing, plastic pollution, shipping traffic and possible deep-sea mining. Climate change compounds these threats, even as the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and generates oxygen critical to regulating the planet’s temperature.
Ratification accelerated after the pact crossed the 60-country threshold in September. It formally took effect 120 days later, and as of Friday 83 countries had signed on, with major maritime powers China and Japan among the newest members.
What Changes Now
Beginning Saturday, ratifying nations must:
- Share ocean science and technology with one another
- Help developing countries build capacity to take part in ocean governance
- Require companies to carry out environmental impact assessments that meet treaty standards before approving potentially harmful activities
- Notify other countries and share findings when research on marine organisms could lead to commercial products such as new medicines
Perhaps most significantly, countries must promote the treaty’s conservation goals when they participate in other international bodies that regulate ocean activities, including:
- Regional fisheries organizations
- International Maritime Organization
- International Seabed Authority
Race to 2030
Conservationists warn that governments must move quickly to reach the global target of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Because the high seas make up such a vast share of marine territory, their protection is essential to hitting that goal.
“The marine protected areas under the treaty will only be as strong as the governments make them,” said Megan Randles, global political lead for Greenpeace’s Ocean Campaign. “We can’t trust big fishing industry players to simply stop fishing in these critical ecosystems. We need governments to use the treaty to force their hands.”
Countries can already begin preparing proposals for Marine Protected Areas, even though key institutions such as the treaty’s secretariat and scientific body remain under construction. Potential early sites include:
| Region | Proposed Site |
|---|---|
| North Pacific | Emperor Seamounts |
| Atlantic | Sargasso Sea |
| Southeast Pacific | Salas y Gómez and Nazca Ridges |
Enforcement Questions
How those protected areas will be monitored and enforced is still undecided. Options under discussion range from satellite tracking to joint patrols by multiple nations and oversight assistance from other UN agencies, according to Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance. Details will be hammered out as the first sites move toward designation.
Next Steps
Within a year, the treaty’s first Conference of Parties will convene to finalize operational rules, including budgets and committee compositions. Countries have held preparatory meetings, with a final session slated for late March. The earliest any Marine Protected Area could gain approval would be at the second COP, because the scientific review body has yet to be established.
U.S. Status
The United States has signed but not ratified the treaty, allowing it to participate only as an observer without voting rights. Under international law, signatories are still expected to comply with treaty objectives before formal ratification.
“The High Seas Treaty has such incredibly broad and strong political support from across all regions of the world,” Hubbard said. “Whilst it’s disappointing that the U.S. hasn’t yet ratified, it doesn’t undermine its momentum and the support that it has already.”
Key Takeaways
- The High Seas Treaty creates the first-ever framework for establishing protected areas in waters beyond national jurisdiction
- Current protection stands at roughly 1%; conservationists say rapid expansion is vital for ocean health
- Countries must now integrate treaty goals into decisions made at other regulatory bodies that oversee fishing, shipping and mining
- The U.S. can observe but cannot vote until it ratifies the agreement
Advocates say broad political backing must now turn into swift action.
“The treaty is a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and protecting our global commons can still triumph over political rivalries,” Randles said. “The ocean connects us all.”
